"
Lady Constance blushed scarlet. This was carrying the war into the
enemy's camp with a vengeance.
"'Nobody axed me, sir, she said,'" she sang gaily.
"Ah, but whose fault is that?" asked Lord Barminster, pleased that she
had not refused to discuss the question.
"Please, Uncle Philip," she said, with a sudden quiver in her voice,
"I'd rather not talk about it--if you don't mind."
"Quite right, my dear," replied Lord Barminster, patting her hand
reassuringly.
For a few minutes there was silence. His lordship drank his coffee,
while his companion stared dreamily through the window at the
magnificent view of park and woods. The old man was the first to speak.
"We shall miss Lord Standon," he said, with a meaning glance at her.
Lady Constance looked up with a start; then, as she realised the
significance of this simple statement, she smiled. She knew she could
trust her uncle not to betray her woman's secret; and, though she had no
scruple in using Lord Standon as a means to spur on Adrien, she would
not allow the old man to be worried unnecessarily by doubts of her
fidelity to his beloved son.
"Yes," she answered, quietly.
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